‘Good Samaritan’ responsible for return of baby Jesus statue

ELYRIA – The baby Jesus has returned to the Nativity scene decorating Dave Timko`s front yard.A man who identified himself only as “Scott, a good Samaritan,” knocked on Timko`s door Thursday and returned the figurine stolen Nov. 30. He told Timko he found the Christ child laying in a yard in the neighborhood.

Timko was tickled to have his Nativity nearly complete again. A sheep also taken from the Nativity remains on the lam.

CARL SULLENBERGER / CHRONICLE

The baby Jesus figurine was returned to Dave Timko`s Elyria home.

“What`s Christmas without the baby Jesus?” said Timko, 55. “All of the other decorations were nice, but the true meaning of Christmas was gone from the yard.”

He said Elyria police have questioned several people about the theft and vandalism at 134 Franklin Ave., but no one has been arrested. A witness said three teens – at least two of them girls – punctured and deflated a Charlie Brown globe worth $179, popped an inflatable penguin worth $50 and stole the items from the Nativity scene.

Timko, a custodial worker for Lorain County, said friends wrote him a check to make up some of the loss and a man gave him a penguin just like the one that was slashed.

Timko has a second Charlie Brown globe and might put it out today.

“I`m a little gun-shy,” he said. “But I get a little jealous when I see all these other people with globes out.”Timko said he`s ready to enjoy the holidays again.

“I`ve been making cookies, and I play Santa for some families,” Timko said.

“There`s no good explanation why someone would do this,” Eichenlaub said. “Whether it`s a practical joke or not, there was damage to his property. If we find out who did it, we`ll charge them with the appropriate crime.”